1999 Ford CONTOUR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
391 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 137 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 82 of 391 complaints (21.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 47 | 12.0% |
| Engine operation | 27 | 6.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 22 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 21 | 5.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 19 | 4.9% |
| Steering behavior | 15 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure | 82 |
| Unknown Or Other | 46 |
| Tires | 21 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 18 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 13 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 13 |
| Air Bags | 11 |
Structure: 82; Unknown Or Other: 46; Tires: 21; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 18; Air Bags:Frontal: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 13; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 13; Air Bags: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 33 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 49 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 22 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 33; 50,000 to 74,999: 49; 75,000 to 99,999: 22; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 7
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (49). 254 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 52 |
| 2001 | 42 |
| 2002 | 42 |
| 2003 | 62 |
| 2004 | 68 |
| 2005 | 55 |
| 2006 | 20 |
| 2007 | 18 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 52; 2001: 42; 2002: 42; 2003: 62; 2004: 68; 2005: 55; 2006: 20; 2007: 18; 2008: 10; 2009: 5; 2010: 3; 2011: 7; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 47 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 27 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 22 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10016462 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
1999 FORD CONTOUR W/ 2 LIT. ENGINE AND FACTORY INSTALLED/AUTHORIZED 8" BRAKE SYSTEM. SAFETY HAZARD: POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO IMPROPERLY DESIGNED AND/OR FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKES. TRYING TO STEER THE CAR THROUGH EVASIVE MANEUVERS WHILE APPLYING BRAKES IS CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUDDER EXCESSIVELY. ON APX APRIL 7 I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON I-71 APX 1 MILE NORTH OF I-270. ACCIDENT APX 1/4 OF A MILE AHEAD FORCED EVERYONE TO SLAM ON BRAKES. CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER EXCESSIVELY. HAD ANOTHER CAR CLOSE ON MY TAIL AND BEGAN TO …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018030 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018030 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007358 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND DID NOT RESTART.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008244 · 2003-02-28 (February 28, 2003)
SOMETHING IN MY WIRING HAS BURNT AND SHORTED OUT WIRES IN MY CAR FROM TRUNK TO UNDER HOOD. CAR IS BEING REPAIRED AS I WRITE AND IS GOING TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE. THIS IS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR SE. A NEW WIRING HARNESS IS BEING ORDERED AND ALL WIRING NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THE CAR JUST STALLED RIDING DOWN ROAD, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. HAVE BEEN WITHOUT CAR FOR APPROX. 1 WEEK NOW. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008244 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022106 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE FLOATED ERRATICALLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE FUEL FLOW METER INSIDE THE FUEL TANK.*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024449 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
NAR 06/19/2003. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD HIS VEHICLE TOWED TO VISTA FORD APPROX 3 TIMES IN ONE MONTH FOR A BROKEN FUEL PUMP THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THE VEHICLE HAD A B ROKEN RADIO ANTENNA AND A VIBRATION WHICH WAS COMING FROM THE TIRES. IN ADDITION TO ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS THE DASHBOARD WAS COMING APART AND THE FLOOR MATERIAL UNDER THE HOOD OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT WAS COMING APART. FORD HAS NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE IN EXPEDITING FEES AND COST OF REPAIRS. PLEASE ASSIST IN RESOLVING MATTERS. *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018441 · 2003-05-09 (May 9, 2003)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BLINKERS WILL NOT WORK, A/C WILL NOT COME ON, LIGHTED SWITCHES ON THE DOORS WILL NOT LIGHT, AND WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. HAVE BEEN TOLD POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL HARNESS IS BAD. WAS TOLD BY FORD SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT FORD WILL NOT MAKE ANY RECALLS ON IT.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057952 · 2004-03-11 (March 11, 2004)
A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A CONSTANT STRAIN OF 32 AMPS BEING DISCHARGED, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN, AND NOT BEING CHARGED. *AK THE KEY COULD BE TURNED OFF WITH THE IGNITION IN THE LOCK POSITION AND THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK. WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS OPENED, THE BUZZER THAT REMINDS THE CONSUMER THAT THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION HAD GONE OFF EVEN WHEN THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065040 · 2004-04-20 (April 20, 2004)
THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY TO THE LOCK POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT THE SHIFT LEVER AND TRANSMISSION BEING IN PARK. *AK ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE ROLLED WHILE PARKED, BECAUSE THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE GEAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065040 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030826 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELTS IN MY CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR. BOTH SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT DON'T SEEM TO RETRACT AND GET TANGELED AND TWISTED ALL THE TIME. I HAVE MANUALLY ADJUSTED THEM EVERYTIME I DROVE. JUST 5 MONTHS AGO I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AT A LIGHT AND WAS REAR ENDED CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING ME A CONCUSION. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT TO HOLD ME BACK AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I SHOUL…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030826 at NHTSA ↗